Satisfied fifteenth Birthday, Charlie! 🥳 🎉

Satisfied fifteenth Birthday to my surprising seal mitted Ragdoll cat, Charlie!

As I sit down down to write down this, I simply completed giving Charlie sub q fluids, and I take into accounts how a lot has modified since his remaining birthday. Actually even though, a lot has modified since overdue Might/early June, when my different Ragdoll cat, Trigg, were given ill and died.

Round the similar time, I came upon about how ill Trigg used to be. The vet phoned me a couple of days later to let me know that Charlie’s kidney values had advanced—they’d been in degree 1 or a questionable raw-fed nutrition degree (BUN can also be upper if you end up a raw-fed cat). I’m undecided which “degree” he’s in now, as my vet by no means loves to “diagnose” that – she a lot believes it is determined by the cat.

And he or she doesn’t like me to fret about the ones issues – she’d quite I center of attention at the medical cat. Actually, I used to be stunned that his values higher up to they did as a result of he were consuming and appearing neatly. Given his values, our vet steered I get started giving Charlie fluids two times weekly.

I didn’t get started the rest till after Trigg died – I couldn’t care for the rest extra.

Whilst Trigg used to be death (which I didn’t know used to be taking place – I say that during hindsight), Charlie simplest swatted him as soon as; the animal communicator had warned me that would possibly occur – that on occasion, when one cat is ill, the more healthy cat might assault them. And Charlie did – however simplest within the type of a swat. But even so that, he used to be solely respectful of Trigg and in most cases sat with him anywhere he used to be.

I realized so much about Charlie via Trigg’s death procedure and, in fact, after that. I didn’t know the way very a lot Charlie preferred Trigg. I knew he beloved him, however I didn’t know the way a lot he preferred him. Ceaselessly, it used to be Trigg who approached Charlie, no longer the wrong way round. So when Trigg used to be after all long gone, Charlie went right into a despair and a grief degree. It used to be difficult to look him mourn whilst navigating my grief. We each nonetheless have bouts of it, too – and I’d wager that may proceed for just a little longer.

As soon as Trigg used to be long gone and our flea downside beneath keep watch over (sure, the day after the evening I put Trigg down, I found out Charlie had fleas), I began to take into accounts giving Charlie fluids.

When Charlie used to be more youthful, we have been going to another vet (I went to the similar vet for nearly 12 years – and I switched in 2020 to a brand new vet as a result of I sought after to be extra holistic in my means with my cats. I wished a veterinarian who used to be aligned with that). And Charlie wanted fluids for one thing – he went nuts and nearly at all times was Chuckie, his adjust ego, on the vet.

It used to be terrifying, and having had 3 kidney cats and understanding 85% of cats die of kidney failure, I figured there used to be an excellent chance it used to be in my long run. I simply was hoping it wouldn’t be with Charlie as a result of I didn’t suppose it will be imaginable to offer him fluids. I requested our vet then, “What occurs when you can’t give a kidney cat fluids?” She stated, “I had one like that, they usually simply die quicker.” I used to be absolutely ready for that once I first came upon that Charlie had kidney markers.

So after Trigg used to be long gone, and we nonetheless doubtlessly had fleas, I requested my mother to return pick out Charlie and I up in her automotive – I knew Charlie used to be flea unfastened, however didn’t suppose that my automotive used to be. So, she got here to select us up, and the vet would see us as a walk-in for fluids.

We waited patiently within the automotive (ready within the ready room on the vet pisses off Charlie), and the vet tech got here to get him. She used to be long gone with him for some time and ultimately introduced him again out. I assumed evidently he’d gotten fluids as a result of they’d been long gone see you later; then again, as she passed him to me, she stated, “He wouldn’t let me do it.” And this used to be a VERY skilled vet tech that’s been doing it for like 15 years.

You’ll be able to believe my feeling understanding we made all that effort in the summertime warmth, and he didn’t get fluids. I used to be so excited for him to have the fluids, too, given what he’d been via with Trigg and the fleas—indisputably he wasn’t consuming, and many others., like customary.

Our vet, who used to be out of the place of business at the day that came about, informed me to return the following day, and she or he would check out. So I did, and we were given it executed! It used to be not anything wanting a miracle as it used to be lovely darn simple! Our present vet hasn’t ever had to “sedate” Charlie to attract blood or read about him, while our outdated vet at all times REQUIRED he be on a small dose of Gabapentin.

I requested if lets go back in 2 days to get extra fluids. She used to be k with that, and we did. That point, we screwed up 4x – poked him 4x, and he used to be fairly compliant for being poked 4x. I couldn’t consider it.

Please know, then again, that none of it will had been imaginable if Pam of Completely Holistic hadn’t gotten his Tom cat Hyperesthesia Syndrome beneath keep watch over two years in the past.

I take into accout when Dr. Sally noticed Charlie once we had labored with Pam diligently to get him higher. Dr. Sally stated, “He’s like a distinct cat.” And I answered, “Sure, his frame is not on hearth, so he isn’t by means of each little factor that touches him.”

That’s why he used to be ready to care for the 4 pokes. If we hadn’t executed the paintings with Pam, I don’t suppose he would have allowed even one poke.

On my force house from Dr. Sally’s second set of fluids, I assumed, “Guy, I’ve gotta do this at house to look if I will do it alone.” The primary cat I gave fluids to alone used to be Caymus – my sister Amy had bravely executed it by means of herself, so I knew I had to take a look at the similar. I did fluids on my oldsters’ cats, Caymus and Murphy, and my Rags, Trigg, Hobbs, and Maddie (my Aunt Jean’s Ragdolls), so I’m an skilled fluid giver.

So, I made up our minds to get the braveness up and check out it. The primary poke went via like an ear piercing. The second used to be highest, however then Charlie bolted away, so it got here out. I needed to pierce him another time, and we were given it. He stayed, and I were given the fluids in. I nearly held my breath whilst they have been working. Alternatively, I realized a very long time in the past from a veterinary acupuncturist that you just by no means wish to dangle your breath with a cat as a result of that’s the one time she were given bitten.

It felt like I held my breath, however I didn’t do this on goal. After we have been executed with the fluids, I cheered and clapped my arms, kissed him, and hugged him. He used to be excited as a result of he knew I used to be excited. Then I picked him up and began crying, pronouncing, “We will do that, Woo!”

The considered hauling him backward and forward to the vet for fluids – a process that takes not up to part the time to force to the vet, used to be overwhelming. And I do know that fluids can and can get to the purpose the place they want them day by day, so I simply didn’t know if I may just do it that method eternally. And my caregiver fatigue is out of this international at this time, so I didn’t need another factor to do.

I’ve persevered fluids at house. Total, he’s nonetheless doing neatly with it – there was one Chuckie look. That’s extra of my fault, even though – I must have paid extra consideration to the place he used to be in his day (he wasn’t prepared to stick put). He has additionally bolted clear of the road a couple of instances, inflicting the needle to fall out, however I don’t wish to re-poke him, so he will get just a little much less. I nonetheless can’t consider I’m giving Charlie: 1. fluids, 2. alone. BLOWS MY MIND.

I informed Charlie a number of weeks in the past, “Bub, it began with you and me, and now it’s simply you and me once more.”

In the event you consider in manifesting what you wish to have, it labored for me getting my Charlie.  The primary Ragdoll in our circle of relatives, and the rationale I sought after one for myself, used to be Halston, a seal mitted with a blaze Ragdoll cat. I at all times sought after a seal mitted with a blaze on account of Halston. 

Once I began Floppycats and knew I wouldn’t have my Rags for much longer, I had a imaginative and prescient board. I put a cat that seemed nearly precisely like Charlie on that imaginative and prescient board.  Ahead of Rags died, I had a consolidated checklist of breeders I knew who have been nonetheless breeding cats associated with Rags.  A type of used to be Soulmate Ragdolls in North Carolina.

About 5 months after Rags died, I used to be in Albuquerque, New Mexico, having a look in the course of the to be had kittens on that consolidated breeders’ checklist – I simply went to every in their web pages to look if they’d indexed one thing new. 

I wasn’t in a position for kittens.  However that evening, staring again at me used to be “Casey” – which used to be Charlie.  It’s humorous as a result of “Casey” sounds aloud like “KC” (Kansas Town), which is the place I’m from.  Even though I wasn’t in a position for a kitten, I knew he used to be meant to be mine. He used to be highest…and had a really perfect hourglass blaze.

I nonetheless can’t consider I lucked out with a seal mitted with a really perfect blaze. He used to be like a needle in a haystack and simply sitting lovable as a button on Soulmates’ web page years and years in the past.

Charlie has been one in every of my largest academics. When he had his energetic hyperesthesia, I assumed evidently the one method for it to forestall used to be for him to die – I wouldn’t have put him to sleep. I simply concept there used to be no method he would ever recuperate.

However a chum inspired me (when I had spent 1000’s and long gone to a number of veterinarians) to take a look at Pam of Purrrfectly Holistic. And I watched as Charlie’s little frame healed from the wear and tear I had executed feeding him dry kibble (why he has kidney illness), giving him too many topical flea medicines, giving him too many vaccines, and dwelling in a poisonous setting with too many harsh chemical substances and fragrances. Whilst Charlie’s no longer highest, given the kidney state of affairs now, how a lot he has grew to become round is exceptional. I can’t thank Pam sufficient for the cat I’ve now vs. the only I had then.

Talking of surprises with Charlie, his willingness to consume uncooked is astounding. I additionally were given assist from Pam to get my cats to consume uncooked – and I used to be very proud after they transitioned. I’m nonetheless loopy proud. I CANNOT BELIEVE Charlie eats uncooked. I can’t, despite the fact that I serve it to him. I’ve needed to transfer him to eggshell as a substitute of bone. Eggshell is made from calcium carbonate, while bone is made from calcium phosphate – and phosphorus is an issue for kidney cats, so proscribing or getting rid of bone is highest. Fortunate for me, he loves this new boneless recipe I’m following. However he’ll simplest in reality consume red meat – he tells the animal communicator that it digests simply for him. This August will mark two years since Charlie has been raw-fed. Loopy.

Charlie is a type of pets with F.A.D – sometimes called flea allergic reaction dermatitis.  It’s MISERABLE.  Despite the fact that they don’t keep on him – if a flea bites him, it’s all downhill.  He scratches, itches, and licks like a loopy guy.  The pinnacle tremor he were given from topical flea medicines comes again, and it’s a dwelling hell for us each – even though almost certainly extra only for me.

On best of seeking to set up Charlie’s loopy reaction to the flea bites, you should stay alongside of vacuuming, cleansing, and many others., in order that the flea inhabitants does no longer build up.  I’ve realized so much from our summers with fleas – and their magnetism to Charlie. I launched a unfastened collection on herbal flea keep watch over on account of it. If Charlie will get a flea (one flea), I do know lovely briefly now and feature a complete plan to do so to get it off of him and get them out of my area. It’s no longer a a laugh procedure, however it’s extra methodical, arranged, and efficient than a 12 months in the past.

Charlie is an overly outgoing cat however has been extra subdued since Trigg died. He sleeps in spots the place he can’t pay attention the whole thing in the home.

I’m operating on new dietary supplements with him to toughen his immune device after the fleas – and likewise for his kidneys. I’m seeing some certain adjustments, and I am hoping the ones proceed.

Charlie has been instrumental in my Floppycats’ industry. He in most cases saves the day with regards to me getting photos of him the use of a product (which is in reality important when reviewing a product—however it isn’t at all times the very best factor to have your digital camera in a position the moment they’re the use of it. Cat scratchers are the toughest!). Anyway, even at nearly 15, he knocked this one out of the park for me this 12 months, and I’m thankful.

I’ve realized so much from Charlie within the remaining two years. I’ve realized so much about what makes kitties ill, what makes them more potent, what merchandise we will give to assist them, what assessments we will do to get them higher, what we will feed that may give them optimum well being, and so a lot more. I’m very thankful for that. I’m sorry that Charlie has long gone via what he has long gone via on account of my lack of information. I am hoping the lifestyles classes I’ve realized can assist many different Floppycatters and plenty of extra of my cats.

I want I may just marvel Charlie together with his Chiggy for his birthday—I will’t believe how stunned he’d be.

I do not know how for much longer Charlie has—and I in truth by no means concept Trigg wouldn’t be celebrating his fifteenth birthday—so that you by no means, ever know. However after what I’ve long gone via with Caymus, Murphy, and Trigg, I’ve made up our minds to concentrate on high quality with Charlie, no longer amount.

Satisfied fifteenth Birthday, my stunning boy! I am hoping you’ve many, many extra birthdays.